Method and apparatus for presenting media programs

ABSTRACT

Systems and processes that incorporate teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, transmitting a client program having a graphical user interface to a media device accessible via an interactive television network. Temporal actions of users are collected, while presenting a media program of the client program. A symbolic overlay of the client program is generated including a linear presentation of the timeline corresponding to temporal progression of presentation of the media program, and an iconic symbol corresponding to the temporal action that superimposes the symbolic overlay onto the media content. The iconic symbol enables association of comments with the media content. The comments are presented by at least one symbol situated relative to the linear presentation of the timeline corresponding to the temporal progression of the media. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/615,850 filed Nov. 10, 2009 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media presentationtechniques and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus forpresenting media programs.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Consumers have a number of venues to access media content. For example,consumers can view video content supplied by social networking portalssuch as MySpace, FaceBook, and YouTube over an Internet browser.Similarly, consumers can view via a set-top box video content suppliedby an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) communication system, asatellite TV communication system, and/or a cable TV communicationsystem. Other forms of media content such as audio content, pictures,articles, or combinations thereof can also be accessed by consumers overa public network such as the Internet.

Consumers can share with others their thoughts about media content theyhave consumed by word of mouth, text messaging (e.g., email), or otherforms of common communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for transmittingmedia content, the system being operable in the communication systems ofFIGS. 1-2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict screenshots featuring a graphic user interface(GUI) in the form of an overlay illustrating commentary on a timelineassociated with a media program;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method for transmittingmedia content operating in portions of the communication systems ofFIGS. 1-2 and 5; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method, including:presenting each of a plurality of users a media program; collecting oneor more temporal actions initiated by the plurality of users while themedia program is presented; creating one or more symbolic overlayscorresponding to the one or more temporal actions of each user;combining the presentation of the media program with a presentation ofthe one or more symbolic overlays; detecting a mouse pointer at or nearan iconic symbol of the presentation of the one or more symbolicoverlays; and causing a highlighting event to occur.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computerreadable storage medium, including a program for instructing a computerto: receive temporal actions initiated by a plurality of users whilepresenting media content to the plurality of users; combine apresentation of the media content with a presentation of a symbolicoverlay generated from the temporal actions; perform a highlightingevent when a cursor of a user input device is positioned at or near asymbol of the presentation of the symbolic overlay.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computingdevice, including a controller to: transmit a client program having agraphical user interface (GUI) to a media device operating in aninteractive television (iTV) network, wherein the client programpresents a symbolic overlay that superimposes onto media contentreceived by the media device and enables the media device to associatecomments with the media content received at the media device, andwherein the comments are presented by at least one symbol in a temporalvicinity of the media content; and perform a highlighting event when acursor of an input device is positioned at or near the at least onesymbol of the presentation of the symbolic overlay.

One or more of the exemplary embodiments are related to embodimentsdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/146,131, filed Jun. 25,2008, by Amento et al., entitled “Method and Apparatus for PresentingMedia Programs.” All sections of the aforementioned application areincorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

The first communication system 100 can also include a recipient mediadevice 135. The recipient media device 135 can be communicatively linkedto the ISP network 132, the one or more computing devices 130, and toother devices in the system 100. The recipient media device 135 can be aSTB, mobile device, personal computer, telephone, personal digitalassistant (PDA), or other device capable of receiving and transmittingmedia content. Furthermore, the recipient media device 135 can beconfigured to be operative in an iTV network, which can include, but isnot limited to including, IPTV, interactive cable television, andinteractive satellite television.

The recipient media device 135 can be configured to transmit requestsfor media content and commentary associated with the media content fromdevices in the system 100. The commentary can be user-generated and canbe in a temporal vicinity of the associated media content. The mediacontent and associated commentary can come from devices such as, but isnot limited to, STBs 106, media devices 108, and wireless communicationsdevice 116. The media content and associated commentary can includevideo content, audio content, still image content, text content, andother media content. Additionally, the recipient media device 135 can beconfigured to receive and respond to requests from devices in the system100 for media content and commentary associated with the media content.In responding to the requests from the devices, the recipient mediadevice 135 can transmit media content and commentary associated with therecipient media device 135 to the requesting devices.

Another distinct portion of the computing devices 130 can function as aserver (herein referred to as server 130). The server 130 can use commoncomputing and communication technology to perform the function ofreceiving, transmitting, maintaining, processing, and storing varioustypes of content. As mentioned above, such content can include videocontent, audio content, still image content, text content, and othercontent. The server 130 can maintain a client program, which can bedownloaded and/or accessed by the devices in the system 100. The clientprogram can be configured to present an overlay that can be superimposedonto the media content and can allow users of the devices in the system100 to associate a comment with media content received at the devices.

Additionally, the server 130 can be configured to receive requests forthe media content and commentary associated with the media content fromthe devices in the system 100, such as the recipient media device 135and the STBs 106. Furthermore, the server 130 can relay and/or store theactual media content and/or the commentary associated with the mediacontent, and/or relay links to the media content and/or commentaryassociated with the media content to the devices in the system 100requesting the content and/or commentary.

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200.employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

The server 130 of FIG. 1 can be operably coupled to the secondcommunication system 200 for purposes similar to those described above.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi,Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellularcommunication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologiescan include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE,EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 500 fortransmitting media content, the system 500 being operable in portions ofthe communications systems of FIGS. 1-2. The system 500 can include oneor more media devices 502, 504, and 506, which can be configured todeliver media content to display devices 508 a-c and deliver and/orreceive media content from server 510, communications device 512, andcomputing device 514. The media devices 502, 504, and 506 can be STBs orother similar media devices. The display devices 508 a-c can include anydevice capable of displaying and/or playing media content such astelevisions, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDA),computers, and the like. The server 510 can be a computing deviceincluding the operative features of server 130, among other features.The communications device 512 can include, for example, a mobile device,a cellular phone, wireless device, or other communications device andthe computing device 514 can be a computer or laptop.

The server 510 can be utilized to communicatively link the media devices502, 504, and 506 to the other devices of the system 500. The server 510can be configured to receive, transmit, maintain, and store varioustypes of media content. Additionally, the server 510 can include aclient program, which can be accessed, downloaded, and/or otherwiseutilized by the devices in the system 500. The client program canpresent an overlay that can be superimposed onto media content that isdisplayed and/or received at the devices in the system 500. Users of theclient program can use the client program to associatecommentary/comments with the media content accessed by the user.

FIG. 6 depicts a screenshot 600 illustrating an example of commentary ona single, synchronized timeline. The screenshot 600 features a graphicuser interface (GUI) in the form of an overlay generated by the clientprogram. As will be discussed in more detail below, the overlay caninclude menu buttons 610, symbols such as iconic symbols including butnot limited to avatars 620 and callouts 625, and other operativecontrols which are featured on the screenshot 600. The overlay caninclude a timeline 601, which can reflect the entire duration of a mediaprogram playing at a user's media device.

As the screenshot 600 illustrates, comments have been inserted atvarious points in the timeline 601 of the media program. The iconicsymbols such as colored spheres in the screenshot 600 can indicate thata comment has been inserted at that particular point in the timeline 601of the media program. For example, a single comment 602, a singlecomment 604, a single comment 606, and four comments 608 have beeninserted into the timeline 601. Once the user-generated comments areassociated with their respective media content, the user can utilize theclient program to transmit the media content, commentary/comments,and/or links to the content and commentary to the server 510. The server510 can be configured to access, store, and maintain the media content,commentary, and/or links to the media content and commentary.Additionally, the server 510 can be configured to maintain informationabout the media content and commentary. If only the links to the mediacontent are sent to the server 510, the server 510 can be configured toidentify and extract the actual media content associated with the link.Similarly, if only the links to the commentary are sent to the server510, the server 510 can be configured to extract the actual commentaryassociated with the link.

The server 510 and/or the other devices in the system 500 can beconfigured to receive requests for the commentary and/or the mediacontent from recipient media devices, which can be the devices in thesystem 500. For example, media device 502 can transmit a request toserver 510 for media content and commentary from communications device512. When the server 510 receives a request from a recipient mediadevice, the server 510 can transmit at least a portion of the actualmedia content and commentary and/or the links to the media content andcommentary to the recipient media device. If only the links are sent tothe recipient media device, the recipient media device can access themedia content and/or commentary via the links.

The recipient media device can then be configured to present the mediacontent and/or commentary through a display device, such as displaydevices 508 a-c. The users of the recipient media device can utilize theclient program much like the users of the media devices generating thecommentary. Additionally, user-generated commentary and media contentcan be generated at the recipient media device and can be transmitted toother devices in the system 500 that request the commentary and/or mediacontent generated at the recipient media device.

In an embodiment, the server 510 can prompt a media device, such asmedia devices 502, 504, and 506, to set a range of the media content tobe transmitted to the server 510. For example, the media device can seta range of the media content, which is thirty seconds before and thirtyseconds after any commentary associated with the media content. Therange can be defined by vertical start and end lines within the timelineof the media program that is presented by the client program, such asthose surrounding comment 604 in FIG. 6. In another embodiment, the userof the media device can set the range without being prompted by theserver 510. Moreover, the media device can temporally associate theuser-generated comments with the media content according to timestampsassociated with the requests. For example, if there is a timestamp atthirty seconds into a movie for a particular request, the media devicecan insert or otherwise associate the comment at that point in themovie.

In an embodiment, the server 510 and/or other devices of the system 500can be configured to identify clusters of comments in a media program. Auser of a media device, such as media device 502, can cause the mediadevice to request an identification of clusters with the most frequentcommentaries in a media program. The user can request to export one ormore of the clusters that are identified by the server 510. Much like asdescribed above, each cluster can be exported with a range of the mediaprogram starting before the first comment and ending some time after thelast comment in the cluster. Referring again to FIG. 6, the server 510can identify that there is a cluster of four comments 608 in theparticular media program. The cluster of four comments 608 and a rangeof the media content associated with the four comments 608 can be sentto the media device requesting the identification of the cluster.

In an embodiment, the symbolic overlay can comprise one of an avatarrepresentation of each user, an actual image of each user, orcombinations thereof, wherein one or more temporal actions of the userare expressed by way of one of the avatar representations 620 of eachuser, the actual image of each user, or combinations thereof. Thegesture of the avatar corresponds to a motion of a body of the avatar,and the expression of the avatar comprises at least one of a pluralityof expressions (see, for example, Mukesh having a happy face in FIG. 7).The symbolic overlay can also comprise an avatar representation of eachuser, such that when a user speaks, a message appears as a calloutbubble 625 proximate to the user, an audio of the message, or acombination of both. The audio may comprise either real audio of theuser's voice, or may be synthesized audio from the text generated by theuser utilizing known techniques. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, Mukeshcan say, “Hi Brian” into a microphone operably coupled to STB 502, andSTB 502 can convert his speech into text. The text can then be displayedin a callout 625, while also playing the audio of his speech as well.However, the users can mute the audio, while continuing to have the textdisplayed.

In an embodiment, when a user moves an input cursor 630, such as but notlimited to, a mouse pointer, at or near one of the iconic symbols, suchas one of the avatars 620, one of the corresponding callouts 625, one ofthe spheres 602, 604, 606, 608 on the timeline, or the like, ahighlighting event is caused to occur. The highlighting event maycomprise one of expanding the iconic symbol, providing a pop-up menuwith selective options, or providing a communication log. Moreover, thehighlighting event may comprise the avatar representation of acorresponding user changing color.

As shown in the screenshot 700 of FIG. 7, the user, for example Mukesh,has moved the mouse pointer 630 over the avatar for Brian which can thenexpand as a highlighting event, as shown. In addition to or as aseparate highlighting event, moving the mouse pointer 630 over theavatar for Brian may cause a pop-up menu 750 to appear; and theselective options may include, but are not limited to, viewing aparticular user profile of, for example, Brian, changing the iconicsymbol for Brian's avatar, viewing the communication log for Brian, orthe like. Still further, in general, the pop-up menu can permit thechanging of the type of iconic symbol to, for example, designate thecomments on the timeline (note that in FIG. 7, the comment iconicsymbols for comments 702, 704, 706 and 708 along the timeline 601 havebeen changed to stars) or callout balloons of the avatars, viewing acommunication log of all users, viewing a two-way communication logbetween two particular users, or changing a format of the communicationlog. All of the user-generated comments associated with at least onesymbol or icon may be listed chronologically. Moreover, a left click ofa mouse may produce the pop-up menu with selective options and a rightclick of the mouse may produce the communication log, or vice versa.

With reference to the comment icons 602, 604, 606 and 608 situated onthe timeline 601, the mouse pointer 630 may be moved over a particularcomment icon on the timeline 601, and the highlighting event maycomprise producing a communication log showing all comments made by aparticular user that corresponds to the particular comment icon. Thus,for example, moving the mouse pointer 630 over comment icon 606 can showall the comments made by Mukesh as shown at 640. In this example, thecomment icon 606 is also expanded when the pointer 630 is moved over it.Moreover, running the mouse pointer 630 over the comment icon on thetimeline 601 may produce a communication log up to a point on thetimeline 601 where the comment icon is situated. In this way, thecommunication log can be limited to commentaries based on the timeposition of the comment and all previous communications. Communicationsafter the particular comment icon highlighted would not be displayed.This can differ from a communication log generated by highlighting anavatar 620, for example, which may show the entire timeline. A user mayalso selectively choose certain users to view in the communications log.The communication log can be scrollable, so that a user can scrollthrough all the user comments generated during the media program.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method for transmittingmedia content operating in portions of the communication systems ofFIGS. 1-2 and 5. For example, at step 802, each of a plurality of usersis presented with a media program or media content. At step 804, theserver 510, for example, collects one or more temporal actions initiatedby the plurality of users while the media program is presented. At step806, the client program included in the server 510 creates one or moresymbolic overlays corresponding to the one or more temporal actions ofeach user. At step 808, the client program combines the presentation ofthe media program with a presentation of the one or more symbolicoverlays. At step 810, an input device cursor, such as a mouse pointer630, is detected at or near an iconic symbol of the presentation of theone or more symbolic overlays. At step 812, the action of the mousepointer causes a highlighting event to occur. As noted above, thehighlighting event may comprise, but is not limited to, one of expandingthe iconic symbol, providing a pop-up menu with selective options, orproviding a communication log.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, the media evaluationand overlay technique is not limited to video content such as movies,but can also be applied to audio-only content, video (with no audio)content, MTV programming, or the like.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 904 and a static memory 906, which communicate with each othervia a bus 908. The computer system 900 may further include a videodisplay unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system900 may include an input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generationdevice 918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 920.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a machine-readable medium 922 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 924)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 924may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within the processor 902during execution thereof by the computer system 900. The main memory 904and the processor 902 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 924, or that which receives and executes instructions 924from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 926 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 926 using the instructions 924. Theinstructions 924 may further be transmitted or received over a network926 via the network interface device 920.

While the machine-readable medium 922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R..sctn.1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A method, comprising: presenting, by a system including a processor,a media program at equipment of a plurality of users; collecting, by thesystem, a temporal action initiated by the equipment of a user of theplurality of users while the media program is presented to a display;generating, by the system, a symbolic overlay comprising an iconicsymbol corresponding to the temporal action; combining, by the system,the presenting of the media program with a presentation of the symbolicoverlay comprising a linear presentation of a timeline corresponding toa temporal progression of the presenting of the media program and theiconic symbol situated in relation to the linear presentation of thetimeline when displayed; and detecting, by the system, an input cursorlocated at or near the iconic symbol of the presentation of the symbolicoverlay when displayed.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mediaprogram corresponds to one of a video stream, an audio stream, asequence of still images, a sequence of text images, or combinationsthereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing, by thesystem, a highlighting event to occur responsive to the input cursorlocated at or near the iconic symbol when displayed, wherein thehighlighting event comprises one of expanding the iconic symbol,providing a pop-up menu with selective options, or providing acommunication log.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pop-up menuselective options comprise one or more of viewing a user profile of aparticular user of the plurality of users, changing of the iconicsymbol, viewing a communication log of all users of the plurality ofusers, or viewing a two-way communication log between two particularusers of the plurality of users.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein aleft click of a mouse produces the pop-up menu with selective optionsand a right click of the mouse produces the communication log, or viceversa.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the iconic symbol is a commenticon situated relative to the linear presentation of the timeline, andfurther comprising detecting the input cursor over the comment icon onthe linear presentation of the timeline and producing a communicationslog up to a point on the linear presentation of the timeline where thecomment icon is situated.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprisingselectively choosing certain users of the plurality of users to berepresented in the communications log.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe symbolic overlay comprises one of an avatar representation of theuser, an actual image of the user, or combinations thereof, wherein thetemporal action is expressed by way of one of the avatar representationof the user, the actual image of the user, or combinations thereof,wherein a gesture of the avatar corresponds to a motion of a body of theavatar, and wherein an expression of the avatar comprises at least oneof a plurality of expressions.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thesymbolic overlay comprises an avatar representation of the user, andwherein when the user speaks, a message appears as one of a calloutbubble proximate to the user, or an audio of the message.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the audio comprises one of real audio or synthesizedaudio from text generated by the equipment of the user.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the symbolic overlay corresponds to a virtualaudience representing at least a subset of the plurality of users, andwherein the symbolic overlay includes one or more of the iconic symbolsdepicting at least a one of the one or more temporal actions.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the depictions of a corresponding symbolicoverlay are selectable by the subset of the plurality of users of thecorresponding symbolic overlay.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thesymbolic overlay comprises an avatar representation of the user, andwherein when the mouse pointer is positioned over the avatarrepresentation of the user, causing, by the system, a highlighting eventto occur comprising the avatar representation of the user changingcolor.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the iconic symbol comprises acomment icon situated on the linear presentation of the timelinepresented by the presentation of the symbolic overlay, and furthercomprising comprises running the mouse pointer over the comment icon onthe linear presentation of the timeline; and causing, by the system, ahighlighting event to occur comprising production of a communicationslog showing comments made by all users of the plurality of user thatcorrespond to the comment icon.
 15. A computer-readable storage medium,comprising computer instructions which, responsive to being executed bya processor, cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:receiving temporal actions initiated at equipment of a plurality ofusers while presenting media content to the equipment of the pluralityof users; combining a presentation of the media content with apresentation of a symbolic overlay generated from the temporal actionsand comprising a linear presentation of a timeline corresponding to atemporal progression of presentation of the media program; and detectingan input cursor located at or near a symbol of the presentation of thesymbolic overlay, wherein the symbol is situated in relation to thelinear presentation of the timeline.
 16. The computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the highlighting event comprises one ofexpanding the symbol, providing a pop-up menu with selective options, orproviding a communications log.
 17. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 15, wherein the media content comprises at least one of videocontent, audio-only content, or video with no audio content.
 18. Acomputing device, comprising: a memory storing computer instructions;and a controller coupled to the memory, wherein the controller,responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operationscomprising: transmitting a client program having a graphical userinterface to a media device accessible via an interactive televisionnetwork, wherein the client program presents a symbolic overlaycomprising a linear presentation of a timeline corresponding to atemporal progression of presentation of media content received by themedia device that superimposes the symbolic overlay onto the mediacontent received by the media device and enables the media device toassociate a comment with the media content received by the media device,and wherein the comment is presented by a symbol situated relative tothe linear presentation of the timeline corresponding to the temporalprogression of the media content; and detecting an input cursor locatedat or near the symbol, wherein the symbol is situated in relation to thelinear presentation of the timeline.
 19. The computing device of claim18, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the computerinstructions, performs operations comprising: performing a highlightingevent in response to detecting the input cursor located at or near thesymbol, wherein the highlighting event viewable on a display comprisesone of expanding the symbol, providing a pop-up menu with selectiveoptions, or providing a communications log.
 20. The computing device ofclaim 19, wherein when the pop-up menu with selective options ispresented, all of the comments associated with the symbol are listedchronologically.